Ä Area: InfiReligi ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
Msg#: 3100 Date: 10-12-96 01:24
From: Elf Read: Yes Replied: No
To: All Mark:
Subj: My Craft Ethics [1/2]
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
>>> Part 1 of 2...
MY CRAFT ETHICS
Copyright by James T. Crowley III 1986
12/19/86
There are doubtlessly readers of this article that believe I have
no ethics. Those readers are intitled to there opinion however
shallow I may feel that opinion is.
I am the High Priest of Covenant Of The Doves, the comments I
make here are necessarily my personal ethics and viewpoint and not
that of my High Priestess or members of the Coven. Even as a leader
of a coven, I have no right or power to speak for another person.
They do however necessarily govern my actions as a High Priest.
The only way I know to state my ethical viewpoint is by a
annotated resitation of the Laws of the Craft of the Wise as they
pertain to ethics and have been revealed to me by my teachers, the
writings of others and that which the Lord and Lady have made clear to
me through their visions and actions.
I bear the mundane name Crowley that has a certain significance
in the craft community beyond my personal contributions. Yes, I am
prowed of the legacy of that name as members of my family have played
important parts in history. Aleister Crowley was by no means the most
important of them nor the least.
Aleister Crowley, the Current Lord Crowley and myself all bear
common accestors to Sir Ambrose Crowley, Lord Mayor of London (at the
time of Cromwell) and author of the 'Law Book of the Crowley Iron
Works' which is considered to be the bases of British statutory law.
This, I hope will clear up confusion about my relationship to
Aleister Crowley.
The name Hearth Witch is far more dear to me than Crowley, as it
represents a true understanding of what the WICCA is. When an
astronaut looks out of the window of his space capsule and sees the
body of our Lady looking back at him. The astronaut knows, in that
moment that technology, and the centuries of mans' labor that put him
there, are pale when compared to the wonders of our Lady.
I feal that it is necessary to explain some of the structure of
the Covenant of the Doves. We say that we have one degree but that is
not strictly true. There are 4 things that happen to a person on the
pathway. We cannot call them degrees as they do not happen in the
same order to each person.
1. Dedication to the coven.
2. Initiation by the God and Goddess
3. Worldly recognition of their Initiation by the
Gods and their ability to act as a Priest or
Priestess.
4. Birth or Adoption into the family which is as
permanent and unrevokable as the Initiation of
the Lord and Lady.
THE WITCH 'LAW'
Do not what you desire -
do what is necessary.
Take all you are given -
give all of yourself.
"What I have - - - I hold."
When all else is lost, and not until then,
prepare to die with dignity.
There are two kinds of law, Law of Tribe and the Law of Goddess
(ie: natural law). The Law of Tribe requires the services of a
Priesthood. The Law of the Goddess require no Priesthood as they are
self-inforcing. If you see an apparent violation of the law of the
Goddess, there are only two possible explanations. The law is not of
the Goddess but of man, or you do not understand that law of the
Goddess. If you see a ball fall up, either someone is deceiving you,
or you are in a spacecraft or similar artificial environment that is
manifesting some of the "fine print" in the law of the Goddess. This
partial telling of the laws contain both the law of the tribe and that
of the Goddess.
It is left to the wisdom of the student to learn which is which.
THE LEADERSHIP OF THE COVEN
o The High Priestess must be an ordained Nymph or a
Crone.
o The High Priest must be an ordained Magician.
o The High Priestess is the final word on the quality
of Worship as the High Priest is the final word on
the quality of Magick within the WICCA Circles.
o The High Priest's relationship is: Father,
Brother, and Lover.
o The Priestess's relationship is: Mother, Sister,
and Lover.
o THE PRIEST AND PRIESTESS ARE THE LEADERS OF THE
COVEN IN THE MUNDANE WORLD, NOT IT'S DICTATORS.
MEMBERS MUST BE GIVEN A VOICE IN THE ACTIONS OF THE
COVEN.
The Covenant of the Doves is necessarily a theocracy not a
democracy. Meetings are opened to all who are dedicated and sometimes
to concered outsiders. Whatever the business, it is open to
discussion by all. There are no votes taken because when it is all
said and done, there are only two people in the coven that bear the
responsibility for the actions of this coven, the High Priestess and
the High Priest. So, the final decision is theirs ALONE.
When the Circle is cast by The Priest and Priestess, they are
necessarily the ABSOLUTE RULERS OF THE COVEN. No witch shall enter
the Circle with out PERFECT LOVE AND PERFECT TRUST in all members of
the Circle. The only question of the order of the Priest or Priestess
is: if told to jump, it is permissable to ask how high -- on the way
up.
IF ONE DISAGREES WITH THE DESISION OF THE LEADERS OF ANY COVEN OR
CIRCLE. IT IS THERE RIGHT AND DUTY TO LEAVE THE COVEN. THERE IS NO
OTHER LAWFUL RECOURSE.
LEADERS MUST BE EVERMINDFUL THAT MEMBERS WILL SOON LEAVE AN
UNJUST LEADER.
THE LAW OF THE COVEN
o THE CIRCLE IS A PLACE THAT IS NOT A PLACE, BETWEEN
THE WORLDS.
o A COVEN IS A FULLY AUTONOMOUS UNIT ANSWERABLE TO NO
POWER BEYOND ITS OWN, SAVE THE LORD AND LADY.
o IN ANY DISPUTE WITHIN THE FAMILY (COVEN) OR TRIBE,
NO ONE MAY INVOKE ANY LAW BUT THOSE OF THE FAMILY
AND TRIBE.
It being known that the Circle is a "place that is not a place,
between the worlds", and that what is between the Worlds does not
concern the World. Dicussion of actions taking place within a
consecrated circle is appropriate for dicussion only within that
Circle, or by Elders of the Craft in a Council of Elders Convened by
the High Priest and High Priestess of the coven involved as only
Elders can or should have any direct knowledge of actions that take
place within the Circle of another Coven.
With the fragmentation of the WICCA since the burning times, the
identification of Elders of the Craft is at best ambiguous. The only
working definition that I can feel comfortable with is: Those members
of the WICCA community that the High Priest and High Priestess of the
Coven recognize as their peers regardless of what rank they hold in
other circles.
THE WORD OF A WITCH NEED NO BOND OR CONTRACT. IT IS NECESSARILY
TRUE AND FREE OF EQUIVOCATION. We make it clear to all around us that
we do not tolerate lieing. If it is on the part of a friend or an
acquaintance, we will cease contact with them, if necessary. If it is
a member of the craft, we do not willingly stand in the same circle
with them. If they are a student, this is one of the few areas that
we will invoke banishment as a punishment (or, if there are
extenuating circumstances and the person is of extreme value to the
coven and the Craft, we will consider corporal punishment or an
equivalent alternative proposed by the student to balance the wrong
done to the Coven, in lieu of banishment). If they are an Initiate,
it is necessarily more harmful to the family, and therefore, more
serious.
PERFECT LOVE AND PERFECT TRUST (my fingers wanted to type love is
the law). Perfect love and perfect trust are not words spoken in
blind faith. They do not mean a blanket trust. Perfect love and
perfect trust are what was in the hearts of the few, and most dear,
that when they heard rumors, first came to us and said "what are these
rumors about...". These people knew that as falible as we are, these
rumors were not a reflection of our will. These people sought to know
what happened, not to satisfy any of their own devices or to judge us,
but to share our pain and the load. These people are of different
traditions and levels of worldly Craft learning, but these people will
always hold a place in my heart second only to my brothers and sisters
that are literally of the My Family.
THERE ARE THREE KINDS OF SECRETS IN THE WICCA CIRCLE AND ALL ARE
INVIOLATE EXCEPT IN AN ELDER CIRCLE, AND THEN ONLY TO THE EXTENT THAT
THEY ARE RELATIVE TO CRAFT BUSINESS AND HELD IN THAT ELDER CIRCLE.
1. Secrets that are within the Circles that are
private to the members of that coven.
2. The secret held by the High Priestess and High
Priest of the inside and outside Circle affairs
of the coven members, due to their office.
3. The social and magick practices of the Craft that
cannot be talked of outside of the Wicca without
being taken out of context and sensationalized.
THERE ARE AS MANY WAYS TO LOVE THE GODDESS AS SHE HAS NAMES. All
ways of loving the Goddess are correct. None are Wrong as long as
they are based in love. Say not "they are wrong" say "they are a
different path from mine". Until you know in your heart that you have
found your path, do not deny any wicca path that you have not walked.
When you find your path, still walk other paths with your brothers and
sisters in joy and love.
"THE WICCA SHALL BE NAKED IN THERE RITE"
All mankind is naked before God and Goddess. NO STRANGER NOT
BORN IN THE FAMILY SHALL LEAD THE FAMILY OR A TOTEM OF THE FAMILY. NO
ONE WHO RALLIES AGAINST HIS FAMILY OR TRIBE SHALL BE KEPT IN
BANISHMENT PAST 14 YEARS AFTER THE EVENT, IF THAT UNDO THE HARM
CAUSED.
NO ONE WHO EXTENDED THEMSELVES IN THE SUPPORT OF THEIR FAMILY OR
TRIBE SHALL BE BANISHED FOR OLD AGE OR THE ACTIONS OF INFIRMITY. IT
IS NECESSARY THAT SKRYING, VISIONS, ASPECTING AND ALL OTHER APPARENT
VISIONS OF OUR LORD AND LADY BE QUESTIONED. IT IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR
REBIRTH THAT WE KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT OUR OWN WISHFUL THINKING OR
PRIDE, IF THERE BE THE LEAST DOUBT, THE VISION MUST BE DENIED.
If a true vision is denied by the initiated, the Lady will
underline the truth in the vision in an unquestionable form. If this
underlining comes as a punishment, it is still a small price to pay
>>> Continued to next message...
~~~ ReneWave v2.00 [NR]
-!- Free Speech is...Communication!
! Origin: the Burning Times BBS (318)747-5785 (68:68/0)
Ä Area: InfiReligi ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
Msg#: 3101 Date: 10-12-96 01:24
From: Elf Read: Yes Replied: No
To: All Mark:
Subj: My Craft Ethics [2/2]
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
>>> Part 2 of 2...
when compared to the consequences of a false vision.
IF EVER ANY OF THE TRIBE NEED A HOUSE OR LAND AND NONE WILL SELL,
THEN CRAFT MAY BE USED TO INCLINE THE OWNERS TO SELL, PROVIDED IT
HARMETH HIM NOT, AND THE FULL PRICE IS PAID WITHOUT HAGGLING. NEVER
BARGAIN OR CHEAPEN ANYTHING YOU BUY BY THE ART. NO MAN, WOMAN, HIGH
PRIESTESS, OR HIGH PRIEST CAN SAY WHAT "HARMS NONE".
The answer to this is for the Gods, not man. A just action may
well harm someone in some way in the mundane world (every action has
an equal and opposite reaction). It is always best to give the action
and the power to the Goddess, and abide by her will. If it cannot be
given to her after due consideration, then one must act in the most
just form that is possible, freely taking on to our selves all adverse
reaction of an error in judgment.
NO ONE MAY DO ANYTHING WHICH WILL ENDANGER ANY OF THE TRIBE OR
BRING THEM INTO CONTACT WITH THE LAW OF THE LAND. THE ART MAY ONLY BE
USED IN ERNEST AND NEVER FOR SHOW OR VAIN GLORY. NO PERSON MAY BE
WARNED OF HIS FATE MORE THAN THREE TIMES.
MAIDEN: (Youngsters still new to the Craft, or older
ones who do ritual work and do not mind publicity.)
Young people oriented to cope with, and the ability
to handle publicity. Some knowledge of occult and
the Craft both in its practical and religious aspects
is necessary. Childless women, virgins; Warm
friendly people with good powers of projection.
NYMPHS: (Do the bulk of ritual work, young adults.)
Creative people, artists, dancers, singers, etc.
Very mature, rational and responsible. Intuitive and
uninhibited. Knowledge of Craft and occultism, etc.
necessary. Dislikes publicity.
CRONES: (executive branch - teachers of neophytes,
makes judgments, etc.) Must be sober and serious, but
with a sense of humor, very mature in most all ways,
intuitive of the true nature and inner working of
things. Older folks, intellectual, Masters of there
Craft, and dislike publicity.
o No woman shall be a Maiden who has not been in her
courses.
o No woman shall be ordained unless she has passed
her 17th year, nor shall she have her ordination
recognized until that time.
o No woman shall have her ordination recognized
unless she is in her courses, has ten fingers, ten
toes, two eyes, two ears, a nose. Her generative
organs and breasts must be complete. The honorable
loss of limbs or the effects of torture following
ordination shall not invalidate the ordination.
o No woman shall be a Nymph who has not coupled.
o No woman shall be a Crone who has not given birth.
o No man shall be a Magician who has not healed.
o No man shall be ordained unless he has passed his
33rd year, nor shall he have his ordination
recognized until that time.
o No man shall have his ordination recognized unless
he is the father of a living child, has ten fingers
and ten toes, two eyes, two ears and a nose and
generative organs complete. The honorable loss of
limbs or the effects of torture following
ordination shall not invalidate the ordination.
o In their youth, let those who cannot swing the axe
till the field. Those who cannot till the field
carry water. Those who cannot carry water, nor
till the field, nor chase, nor battle, nor be of
service to their family or tribe, let them leave
it.
o None shall be kept as a child forever. Better that
they be banished if they cannot grow in mind.
INITIATION
NO PERSON MAY BE CALLED TO INITIATION MORE THAN THREE TIMES. NO
PERSON MAY BE INITIATED WHO HAS LESS THAN 20 YEARS OF LIFE LEFT TO
THEM AT THE TIME OF INITIATION.
No High Priestess or High Priest of the WICCA can cause an
initiation to take place. Initiation is in the hands of the Lord and
Lady. The teacher can only provide the environment that will aide in
the initiation if the God and Goddess so will it.
If one questions the validity of their own initiation, there can
be but one answer, the initiation did not take place. An initiation
by the Gods will be remembered.
Let your judgment on matters which you make be fit to the size of
the case, not to your feelings. Let your heart not rule your mind,
nor mind your heart, but bear a balance as has been taught you.
Not all are chosen for the tribe, nor are all in the tribe of one
family, nor are all in the family to be initiated, nor are all the
initiated to be ordained. Your yoke is to be as strong as you can
bear, but no stronger.
James Crowley
P. O. Box 16025
North Hollywood, CA
91615-6025
Blessed Be!
Elf22@juno.com
"Magick is not something you do, magick is something you are.
True magicians realize that since they can work magick and affect
their lives, they are really free to do anything they wish. True
magicians also realize that they are responsible for their
actions. Thus freedom and responsibility are signs of a magickal
lifestyle." -Donald Michael Kraig, _Modern Magick_
... "When you choose to criticize, you choose your enemies." -O. Osbourne
~~~ ReneWave v2.00 [NR]
-!- Free Speech is...Communication!
! Origin: the Burning Times BBS (318)747-5785 (68:68/0)